The Park

Friary Park, comprising 23 acres (9.3 hectares) of Open Metropolitan Land, is Barnet’s premier park. A high, level, more formal area to the north is where most of the facilities are found. The ground then drops away quite steeply, as a wide grassy slope, to a wooded stream (Blacketts Brook) and a more natural area – good for dog-walking, tree-climbing, kite-flying… winter tobogganing?

Facilities in the Park

Basketball

There are two basketball posts on the tennis courts.

Bowling green

The bowling green remains as it was laid out more than a century ago by the donor of the Park, Sidney Simmons. You are very welcome to join the Bowling Club, or just have a taster session, by contacting Barry Carmody via email at barrycarmody68@gmail.com.

Café

The café, with terrace, is served from the house. It is open every day from 09.30 until late afternoon, depending on the weather, for ices, drinks, snacks, traditional light meals (eg burgers and chips) and Middle Eastern dishes (eg hummus, falafel, shakshuka).

Childrens’ play area

This area, overlooked by the café terrace, is divided by age suitability (from toddler to mid-teen) into three parts. There is a hopscotch court on the footpath.

Cars are not allowed into the Park, but there are three disabled spaces next to the main gate on Friary Road. (The other main gate is at the pedestrian crossing on Friern Barnet Lane.) There are no general parking restrictions on the roads surrounding the Park, however this means that they tend to be heavily parked already by other users.

Skateboarding

The current skate park was designed by the users. It includes quarter and wide quarter pipes with sides, ledge, flat bank, A-frame, and fun box with ledge and manual pad. A small level track at the lower end is for very young children on wheels.

Table tennis

The outdoor table tennis table is close to the gym. Bring your own bats and ball.

Tennis

There are two hard courts available at all times without charge. Note: There are three additional courts ten minutes’ walk away, in Bethune Park.